Hazing

Hazing in state educational institutions is prohibited by both state law (Sections 37.151 and 51.936 et seq., Texas Education Code) and by the Regents' Rules and Regulations Rule 50101. Individuals or organizations engaging in hazing could be subject to fines and charged with criminal offenses. Additionally, the law does not affect or in any way restrict the right of the University to enforce its own rules against hazing.

Individuals

A person commits an offense if the person:

Engages in hazing,

Solicits, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid another person engaging in hazing,

Recklessly permits hazing to occur, or

Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution or has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the School of Health Professions Dean or other appropriate official of the institution.

Organizations

An organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or any combination of members, pledges or alumni of the organization commit or assist in the commission of hazing.

Definition

The term hazing is broadly defined by statute to mean any intentional, knowing or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in an organization.

Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body or similar activity.

Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Any activity involving the consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subdivision.

Any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code (Note: the fact that a person consented to or acquiesced in a hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution.).

Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, Rule 50101 provide that:

Hazing with or without the consent of a student is prohibited by the System, and a violation of that prohibition renders both the person inflicting the hazing and the person submitting to the hazing subject to discipline.

Initiations or activities by organizations may include no feature which is dangerous, harmful or degrading to the student, and a violation of this prohibition renders both the organization and participating individuals subject to discipline.

Activities which under certain conditions constitute acts that are dangerous, harmful, or degrading, in violation of Rules include but are not limited to:

Calisthenics, such as sit-ups, push-ups or any other form of physical exercise

Total or partial nudity at any time

The eating or ingestion of any unwanted substance

The wearing or carrying of any obscene or physically burdensome article

Paddle swats, including the trading of swats

Pushing, shoving, tackling or any other physical contact

Throwing oil, syrup, flour or any harmful substance on a person

Rat court, kangaroo court or other individual interrogation

Forced consumption of alcoholic beverages either by threats or peer pressure

Confining individuals in an area that is uncomfortable or dangerous (hot box effect, high temperature, too small)

Any type of personal servitude that is demeaning

Wearing of embarrassing or uncomfortable clothing

Assigning pranks such as stealing, painting objects, harassing other organizations

Intentionally messing up the house or room for clean up

Being called by a demeaning name

Enduring yelling and screaming

Requiring boxing matches or fights for entertainment

Immunity

In an effort to encourage reporting of hazing incidents, the law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person who, in good faith and without malice, reports a specific hazing event to the SHP Dean or other appropriate official of the institution and immunizes that person from participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from that report.

Additionally, a doctor or other medical practitioner who treats a student who may have been subjected to hazing may make a good faith report of the suspected hazing activities to police or other law enforcement officials and is immune from civil or other liability that might otherwise be imposed or incurred as a result of the report.

The penalty for failure to report is subject to a fine or time in jail or both.

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